I am interested in reading what you have to say about what is the one Sheaffer pen a person should own. For you what is the one pen that is quintessentially "Sheaffer"? I'm a novice and I am quite fascinated by all pens so I think I need to develop some sort of strategy/focus to my collection and maybe this will help. I tend to think vintage but if in your opinion a current model is "it" let me know - and why... Thanks.

If you're going to buy just one Sheaffer, I'd suggest either a PFM, or a Snorkel with a Triumph nib, since both have:

• the unique snorkel tube and Touchdown mechanism to fill the pen with ink,
• inlaid nib (PFM) or Triumph nib (Snorkel), both identified with Sheaffer,
• spring-loaded clip, which Sheaffer patented.

And select a trim that has Sheaffer's famous white dot (the cheaper PFMs and Snorkels don't have the white dot).

Also, most professionally restored Snorkels cost a lot less to acquire than a modern Sheaffer pen, such as a Legacy or Valor.

My 2 cents,

-Mike

A response to your question is necessarily subjective, which you know, of course. There are so many Sheaffer models that I have and love. I am especially fond of my Balance II FP's. I like them so much, I got one of every color that Sheaffer produced. That said, I feel the quintessential Sheaffer is the Legacy (or its PFM predecessor).

I like pens that are a certain size like Duofold Centennials, Stipula Etruria O/S or Pelikan M-800. Both the Balance II and the Legacy series are in that size range. But the Legacy has a partcular form or shape, weight and balance that sets it apart from all these other pens. Its distinctly Sheaffer inlaid nib writes excellently. I find the overall quality of the Legacy series to be very high. So the Legacy has my very subjective vote.

I concur with the Snorkel with a Triumpth nib suggestion.

The stock answer is the Snorkel...




But for my money it's a Vacuum-Fil "TRIUMPH" Lifetime from World War II.

Sheaffer received a patent for the lever filler, they were the first to use plastic bodies, they were the first that streamlined the cylindrical body as the Balance pens. For me, on my humble opinion, the quintessential Sheaffer is the early 1930's Balance pens.

I really like all Sheaffer pens. I love their typically smooth wet writing characteristics. I have quite a few but would take a PFM above all others.

1930s era Sheaffer Balance: they're both attractive and quite functional. The lever fills are mechanically simple and reliable writers. The nibs are often quite smooth and rigid- good for everyday writing. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your hand- choice in these matters is a good thing. They capture the heyday of the fountain pen and were top of the line writers in their day. Nothing better captures the slick, streamlined designs of that era either. I tend to think these pens represent Sheaffer at the top of its game- often catching the competition off guard with its innovations.

They also have a number of nice Sheaffer design points:

a variety of celluloid patterns- early models have more old-style patterns like Jade or black + pearl celluloid. These designs recall the earlier period of the late 1920s styles. Later models have nice celluloid stripes- these are more in line with the styles of the 1930s and 40s. You could also opt for a timeless color like black. They offer something for everyone and many choices.

streamlined profile, but with some nice, subtle variations- one of Sheaffer's more revolutionary elements was the tapering of the ends to turn pens from cylinders into streamlined torpedoes. But more than being streamlined, you'll also find the shapes vary over time. Some of the earliest Balances were "long" models that had a more gradual taper in the barrel, leading almost to a point. Over time the profile became more symmetrical and rounded. You can find a variety of subtle differences and pick out what you like.

very rigid, smooth gold nibs- a Sheaffer hallmark in many ways was the use of very rigid, smooth nibs. These nibs are great for everyday writing and can function just as well as any modern pen as workhorses. These nibs are durable and reliable when properly tuned.

"1930s era Sheaffer Balance: they're both attractive and quite functional. The lever fills are mechanically simple and reliable writers. The nibs are often quite smooth and rigid- good for everyday writing."

Those smooth and rigid nibs are perfect for everyday writing, even filling triplicate forms. They also offered semi-flex, very flexible nibs, and stubs, but are much harder to find. I use them every day of the week!

Sheaffer Targa is a nice writing instrument too. But when I hear "Sheaffer" , an image of a Snorkel Triumph is the first thing that comes to my mind.

All good stuff here so far. Unless you're going for a specific model focus, one could hardly have anything more representative of Sheaffer than a Snorkel with a Triumph nib, probably in black with a white dot and two-tone fine point. I don't know how (or why) anyone would only want one though. You'd also need a Touchdown with a Triumph nib and a smattering of vacuum fillers from the '40s, because of the shear simple genius of their designs and the joy they are to use (enough to make you exclaim "Brilliant!" like on the Guinness comercials). And the Balances of the '30s are just fantastic; they redefined what a pen should look like. If you just have to get newer than the '50s, go for a Pen For Men.

Whatever you end up with, I hope you love it (start with a Snorkel though, really).

Tim
(Firmly convinced that all the really good pens are older than me...)

Hard question because Sheaffer produced so many "the" pens over the decades, from the flat top to the Balance, from the Vacuum-fill Triumph to the Snorkel, from the PFM to the Targa. Each was trend-setting, era defining (even if a couple of them were responses to earlier Parker or other-model pens) and, when you think about it, pretty different from each other. I like them all but the Targa, and even that I can appreciate for its excellent craftsmanship and spot-on reflection of the time during which it was produced (Alex Keaton would have owned one).

Pick any of the above that fits you well; I'd argue any one of them could be called "the" Sheaffer pen.

My sentiments exactly... These are my two favorite Sheaffers, THe PFM III is my personal favorite, and any Triumph nib will be fabulous whether snork or touchdown.. but I agree, get the snork

If you prefer a cigar shape similar to a Mb 146, you can grab an Oversized Balance..
If you prefer a "flat" pen as opposed to cigar shape, the older Flat Top Sheaffers are also excellent...

Ljwahl suggests that any of a variety of Sheaffers could be categorized as "the" Sheaffer pen. I agree.

Personally, my favorite is the Targa. Exceptionally well designed, well made, and made to last for decades under the hardest of use.

Find the pen which YOU like the best. Pick any reason and you will be correct.

Then, enjoy your pen.

I use my snorkels everyday of the week and I love them.

But the PFM are starting to look good.

Any good Sheaffer will make you happy.

Most definitely a Sheaffer's Snorkel with 14k Triumph Nib.

OK - I'm quite new to the Sheaffer family, and started with a couple of Touchdown Imperials, one of which has the most beautiful nib I've ever written with. It's on the broad side, but it's like writing with a slightly chiseled paintbrush - I almost gasp every time! (Oh boy this is sounding rather sad!)

However, I bought a PFM I and love the size, its boldness and almost equally wonderful nib.

And now I have a PFM Autograph (set) that has to be the finest writing instrument I've ever owned - and whilst not cheap, still within a range that allows me to actually take it out to meetings and really USE it.

There is nothing else quite like the PFM in my opinion, and possibly against most thinking, it’s the plastic capped models that I prefer – the lines are just wonderful.

So, what’s that told you? Not much more than that every-one has their own opinion! I’d recommend a PFM I or III, or if you’re lucky enough to find an Autograph, then buy that! Otherwise try as many Sheaffers as you can and decide for yourself which is the one for you – that, then will be your best Sheaffer & you’ll soon be evangelizing it to others. Good luck! Noj

A lot of the Sheaffer innovations were also used by other manufacturers, but the snorkel filling mechanism is unique. As far as nibs go, both the Triumph and the inlaid nib are unique. So if you can afford a PFM you will have a Snorkel with an inlaid nib and if you want to go cheaper, get one of the many snorkel fillers with a Triumph nib. In any case they are all wonderful writers and you will have something uniquely Sheaffer's.

For those of us who aren't fans of the Triumph manifold-y nib, then what would you suggest? I have a TM Touchdown, looking for vintage pen deux.

I just became very interested in Sheaffer pens recently, the 3 pens that made my list are:

1. Snorkel
2. Balance
3. PFM

I think that the snorkel filling mechanism is just way too cool. Maybe it's just because I'm a geek, but I simply can't resist a pen that is being called "The Most Mechanically Complex Pen Ever Made" (a quote from PenHero).

Get a flexy Triumph nib.

For the price of that, I could afford a new piston-filler Aurora Optima. Or a piston filler Stipula Etruria.

My TM Touchdown ran me $25. I was looking for something that ran at most $150 -- unless we're talking a carmine Balance.

The answer to your question is very simple

Sheaffer Snorkel

If you dont have a Snorkel you dont have a Sheaffer pen

I LOVE Sheaffer Snorkels and always on the looklout for another one (got 21 Snorks so far).